We’re excited to share the launch of our new mentorship programme, the next step in our strategic development to ensure our work is locally led, sustainable, and truly adds value to the existing healthcare system.
In partnership with the Tanzanian Dental Association (TDA) and THEDI (Tanzania Health, Environment & Development Initiative), and with funding support from THET, we’re piloting a six-month mentoring scheme for dental therapists in the Mwanza region. This programme was agreed in consultation with the Assistant Director for Oral Health Service (equivalent to Chief Dental Officer) and follows the successful delivery of skills training to eight therapists in October 2024.
Now, those same therapists are being supported in their clinical development by an incredible team of mentors—both from Tanzania and the UK. This hands-on, peer-to-peer model brings together local context and international experience to help therapists feel supported, grow their confidence, and embed new skills into their daily practice.
As David, one of the mentees, puts it:
“It’s great to learn from a colleague with more experience. They understand the challenges I face and can offer real solutions. It’s helping me feel more confident in my work every day.”
The mentors themselves are equally passionate about the process. One of our UK-based dentists said:
“Mentorship is about sharing, listening, and guiding—not just teaching. It’s a two-way street, and I’ve learned just as much from my mentee as I hope they’ve learned from me.”
The mentorship plan is designed to be flexible, with structured monthly sessions and real-time clinical support, underpinned by a clear set of objectives agreed by both mentor and mentee. It’s about building a professional relationship that fosters learning, encourages reflection, and ultimately strengthens the delivery of oral healthcare in underserved areas.
This pilot is just the beginning. We’re looking forward to learning from this experience, gathering feedback, and hopefully scaling the programme in collaboration with our partners.
Stay tuned for more updates as we move through this exciting phase of development. In the meantime, please watch this conversation on the benefits of our programme between co-founder, Dr Ian Wilson and Assistant Director Oral Health Services at Ministry of Health, Tanzania, Dr Baraka Nzobo.
